1. Can you give us an update on what happened to the band members after the break up?

The period after the break up was quit difficult for all members..Having played together for some many years, it becomes a vacume in life when it all suddenly ends.. Jørgen was getting real sick at the time. It was much drugs and alcohol, and in the end he couldnt cope with it, and finally died. Jan Helge and I founded famillies, and because of that music was put on hold for a couple of years.. Rolf TOmmy was also getting sick at the time of the split , and he has sady enough, never recovered from his illnesses.. I started up a band called Sincera 9 years ago, in the good old vain, and we will also see an album later this year ..Thats like a long story short, eh ?

2. I have read recently that you have reformed, what was the cause of the split up and what made you decide to reform the band?

The split up was mainly caused by a couple of the members illnesses, and a bit due to Rolf Tommy wanting to go a different direction music wise. I have , personally, always said that I will make music ONLY when it comes naturally. When the creaticity pounds in my vains, and it just flows, if you know what I meen ? I have never made music just to make music, or making music to sound like this or that because of a hype or anything. When all the shit happened with the band some of the spirit just died. When all this was back ( creativity and spirit..), it was time to call for a ressurection.. A festering ressurection so to speak.. Thomas Andresen ( Algol/Sincera/ Deathseeker) has joined as a permanent member on vox. I am the only guitarist at the moment, Jontho ( Ragnarok) will session the drums on the new album, and Jon (Kampfar) will session bass.

3. How would you describe the musical sound of the current material and how it differs from the previous recordings?

It's a bit different to describe.. As said, I just make out what comes into my mind and hands, but some people says it's darker and colder.., Just a few has heard some out takes, but all claims that you can truly hear that it's FESTER, just almost 20 years later! Still midpaced or slow...Still melancolic and mystic.. Still a harsh and mean vocal.. Mayby some riffs are even more inspired by the old school, that being heavy metal or early Bm.. I dont know..

4. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects that you have explored with your music?

I can tell you a bit from the new tunes ? Old rituals, war, revenge, norse mythology, depression ... The lyrics, I would say, hasnt changed all that much. The themes evolves the same issues as before.. Mayby a bit harsher than on "Silence" though.. , and we have felt that the lyrics really has to fit the feel of each tune, and I think we have done this good for these new tracks.

5. What was the meaning and inspiration behind the band name?

It was Anders Oddin "Cadaver" who came up with the name, and drew the first logo.. Sounding more old school than most Norwegian bands at the time ( rise of the second wave of BM ), and sounding more Dm, I think it was a suitable name. We liked the feel, and the meaning, of men shit FESTEing our minds... Just to have said it; It has nothing to do with a surten uncle..

6. What where some of the best shows that the band has played and how would you describe your stage performance?

Our stage performances were never anything special.. He he.. We just stood there banging and playing hard music.. We did some blood spilling in some shows, but all in all never something special. I thing our best show was in Bergen in 93 with amo Taake. That was a bad ass show actually ! It was some big candles and stuff on stage, and I was more in movement so to speak, than in most shows, and the candlestakes , some amps and stuff got wrecked..

7. I noticed that when you came out in the 90s you had a sound that was a lot more different than most bands in Norway, how did the scene out there react to your musical sound?

As you might understand, it wasnt all that easy.. As you say, we sounded a lot more different than most uprising bands at the moment, and the scene was all about Bm.. I feel that we never got the recognition that we deserved, because of the mentioned reasons, but we never got hassled either , because I was a part of the scene evolving Helvete and Euronymous . AND we never gave a fuck what people ment or said ! We made music mainly to fullfill our dark thoughts and feelings.. not others. If people like it, thats of course cool, but rather 2 people lovong it, than 1000 people thinking it sounds OK..

8. Currently Abyss Records has re-issuedsome of your older albms, are you happy with the way the re-issues came out?

Yeah ! Both the label and the artists has done a great job ! On " Winter of sin " we just made some small adjustments on the front cover and back, but all art inside is new. On the " Silence " re-issue, we did the whole thing new . I think they are really wordy re-releases, and the fact that "Wos" has been out of print for over 15 years, and I thought it was about time people can get their hands on these releases without either downloading them on Rapidshit , or paying their asses off on E bay. The demo compilation that was releases last summer was smashing too .. Real old school cut and paste, out it sounds like freakin 92 !! Kyrck did a real good job with that one

9. What where some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music, and also what are you listening to nowadays?

Growing up with Heavy Metal and Thrash, one may hear lots of elements from these styles in our music, but of course darker stuff as well.. If I were to pick out some bands I would say : Early Sepultura, 1. Darkthrone, Celic Frost, Hellhammer, 1. Mötley Crüe(..), Kreator, King Diamond/Merciful Fate, early Metallica, Pestilence... Today I listen mainly to melancolic and dark music. Nostalgic as I am, I prefer old school Black and Death, but I can also put on Led Zeppelin , Black Sabbath or a syphony for that matter.

10. What role did Occultism play in the music and how would you describe your views on this topic?

I read, and still read. It has never been FESTER's most important inspiration though. That has been, and will always be the dark inner self. As for the topic I can qoute Crowley : Do as thou willt.......

11. Outside of music, what are some of your interests?

Being a responsible adult with familly... Ha ha, There are not much time besides work and them, but I enjoy reading, history, music, drawing, painting and being with friends and familly.

12. Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview?

Thanx alot for the interview, and your questions. Do buy our new re-releases, and check out the new album that will be out late this year on Abyss.... Meanwhile you might also check out the side project Sincera. Play loud and stay proud !!!!

With the massive number of submission we get you would be very surprised that most of them are the same in how they present themselves. They normally start with:“We were formed… blah, blah, blah. We have a sound unlike anything you have ever heard before. We feel we are a good fit blah, blah, blah.”Those submissions don’t piss me off or anything it just becomes difficult to tell one from the other. When Bodyfarm’s management company sent over their information the bio from the band stated, “were not especially technical or innovative, we just play death metal the way we feel it should sound.” That to me was very refreshing and I praise them for being honest and true to their convictions. The only possible issue with being completely open about that fact is: If you’re going to claim to play death metal the way it should sound with no innovation you had better be damn good at it.The only way to find that out is to get into the music. Bodyfarm’s self-titled EP was in front of me and off I went.“Into Battle” is a short instrumental opening that instantly created the image of marching into battle over barren fields very early in the morning. In only 1:29 the song manages to create a slow build to urgency where I pictured everyone in the battalion seeing the enemy straight ahead and realizing what was about to happen.We move right into the bands namesake “Bodyfarm.” This track isn’t steeped in the imagery of “Into Battle,” but shows us the first sign that this is indeed true death metal: an unrelenting growl. For someone such as myself that came late to death metal this pacing and classic feel is what I missed out on years ago. The guitar solo at the end is something that needs to be shared with the world.“Final Redemption” is summed up fairly easily. The vocals shine on this song and I had a very hard time taking notes each time I listened because it just kept pulling me in. This track is very well done and shows some superior talent at recreating the past in a modern setting.The next song I best described as working man’s death metal. “Heartraped” is nothing fancy; just in your face aggressive death metal. The song has a definite thrash feel to it and has a ton of pace changes that broke up any monotony in the vocals. We live in an age where a lot of Metalcore bands claim to be death metal and at times it can be tricky to tell them apart. “Heartraped” is a great song to have in your back pocket to argue what true death metal is.The final track “Slaves of War” has a massive thrash influence that will leave you head banging and not realize you’re doing it. The rhythm is incredible and the vocals over top of it just assault your senses. There is a multitude of time signatures and the end becomes one major jamming spot. I have to mention the bass work as well. This was a great ending to a wonderful EP.Bodyfarm claimed to be nothing fancy or innovative. In reality relying on the past and showing deep respect by playing it well is innovative in this day and age. Bodyfarm’s EP is something I will continue to play long after this review is done.

When approaching this release be prepared for a wrecking ball of old-school crust and death/black thrash savagery. This Swedish group is pure toxic thrash and very much at home with fans of acts like: Hellhammer, Darkthrone, Venom, High on Fire, Skeletonwitch, Scorched Earth, Ravens Creed, Lair of the Minotaur, and label mates MAAX. Another perfect hybrid of fireball riffs ala Kreator and early and golden thrash, a metallic punk FU vice, amphetamine powered rhythm battery, and total pillaging insanity. A definite classic aggressive metal influenced and well-rounded sounding band, this stuff tears everything up with roots and all. As addictive as it is ugly and melodic, this is one that I can’t seem to get enough of.

Many of you are probably thinking: It’s just a black thrash type of project so it’s nothing new right?

Yes, possibly … but it does it so damn well and so, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”, or better yet, “if it kicks ass then don’t fuck with it”. I personally can never get enough good rhythm, maybe I’m biased as a bass player, but that is one big selling point for me and I solely guarantee that if you have any sort of interest in any of the mentioned bands you will be sold on Angrepp. Split your ears with this one nice and loud, it reminds us all of the days when Metal was fun and furious. This release has been highly anticipated in the underground so get it and sink your teeth into this you filthy rocking rodents!

Abyss Records is pleased to announce the addition of Swedish brutalists Fetus Stench to their already blood-soaked roster. The band's self-titled demo, which was released earlier this year, is currently streaming online and a full-length is expected in early 2012.

Get in touch at Clawhammerpr@gmail.com for press inquiries Info:Fetus Stench is a death metal band from Sweden, Karlstad. Formed in 2011 by Andreas Björnson of Slaughterous on guitar and vocals, along with Emil Wiksten from Blood Red Throne on drums, Kristian Karlsson from The Law/Inferior on bass and Christoffer Ilberg of ACDS on guitars. The first recordings were released in February 2011 by the band themselves as a demo and it contains four tracks of relentless death metal. The band's demo is currently streaming on their official Facebook or Myspace pages.

HYPERBOREAN" The Spirit Of Warfare" (Abyss)Hyperborean are (a)typical new thrashers in that they mix thrash with large elements of black/death to make for a concoction of distilled fun. With the shortest song clocking in at 4.21 and the longest at 9.56 you're in for a long ride. And a fun ride it is. With no expectation at all this quickly turned into an adventurous journey. With so long songs the band needs to come up with the goods all the time otherwise you'll risk ending up asleep. But they are good at keeping your attention up. The music twists and turns like a great roller-coaster ride. Close your ears and you miss out on a good part.

The 8th annual CENTRAL ILLINOIS METALFEST 2011 July 22nd, 23rd & 24th 3 day passes on sale now at www.etix.com or www.canopyclub.com$50 in advance $60 at the door 1 day passes also on sale for $20 in advance

Fester/Silence/Abyss Records/2011 CD Re-Issue Review Fester where a band from Norway that played a mixture of black, doom, and death metal that recently had their other album reviewed in this zine and this is a review of their 1995 album which was recently re-issued by Abyss Records in 2011.

Drums range from slow to midpaced drumming with not much in the ways of fast playing or blast beats, while the keyboards when they are utilized bring a dark sound to the music with overdominating, as for the bass playing it has a very strong and powerful tone with some progressive sounding metal riffing.

Rhythm guitars range from slow to midpaced riffs that combine death, black and doom metal together with a great amount of rtaditional metal influences with some thrash style riffing being used on one song and melody, while the lead guitars are very melodic and progressive sounding metal guitar solos, as for the accoustic guiars whwen they are utilized they use finger picking and full chords to add a more dark, tragic and progressive sound to the music.

Vocals are all high pitched black metal screams mixd in with some grim sounding whispered vocals and on a couple of songs there are some spoken word passages, while the lyrics cover ddark and depessive themes that hace somewhat a feel of a classic gothic novel with some nuture orientated lyrics being added in, as for the production it sounds very dark and somewhat raw but still professional enough to the point where you can hear all of the musical instruments.

In my opinion this was a great album from Fester and while it is more melodic and experimental than the previous release, I still thought this was a good well put together album, if you are looking for something that was very different sounding even for the 90's, you should check out this recording. RECEMMONDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Silent Is The Raven" "Voces From The Wood" "My World Of Thoughts" and "Precaution". RECEMMONDED BUY.

I guess everyone know that Serbia has one of the most effervescent Extreme Metal scenes in Europe nowadays, and Bane is somehow one of the leaders of this scene, a name that is getting more and more exposure day by day and I really hope they won't end up as the band they came from, namely Disdained, an excellent Technical Death Metal band that is now defunct, unfortunately. I don't know if I'm fitted to review this album of Bane simply because I'm a fan of this band (and of Disdained as well) since their beginnings and I can say I pretty much know their potential. "Chaos Darkness Emptiness" is, without a doubt, one of the best releases coming out of Eastern Europe this year, a perfect combination of Black Metal and Death Metal sung in a very vicious, evil and aggressive manner, but still keeping an eye on creating melodies, so this is not full on brutality, it's something more, and this is dued to their instrumental skills, these guys can and are creating an epic Metal music here, situated on the way of the nowadays Behemoth / Belphegor followers, but keeping a dirtier sound on the entire release. Not as shimy and overproduced as the latest Behemoth albums, Bane keeps its originality by adding parts of melodic acoustic guitars the '90's extreme metal bands used to incorporate in their music. I for one have nothing to complain about this album. Try it yourselves.

Finally, a release where one is in no doubt that we are dealing here with Swedish Death Metal, as those three words are written on the back cover of Rot In Pieces. CD contains seven tracks delivered by a band named Corrosive Carcass. Everything about this record is screaming ‘death metal’, even the logo and front-cover image are quite old-school. But, if you think it is all about death metal, you’re wrong! The band actually does try to incorporate different sounds and influences, among these, grindcore.

Whole playing time of this album is app. 18 minutes long which only mean one thing; fast-pace brutal & neck breaking death/grind. In some songs the band tries to add some groovy parts which work just fine. Nevertheless, I felt like this is already too much, as their sound is not the best and whole approach is somehow cliché and repetitive. Rot In Pieces has some qualities and this old-school feeling, but there’s absolutely nothing new or unheard before.

Since, there’s still some potential in this promising band I can only urge fans of Dismember, Entombed, Morgoth, Sinister and Morbid Angel to check them out and give them a fair chance.

Now this is the stuff!!!!! These bastards took classic filth and fury thrash, Motorhead riffing and classic metal rhythms, some of the most vile and essential black metal oldschool (Bathory, Venom, Celtic Frost, Darkthrone, and Scorched Earth immediately come to mind upon the first dosing of this stuff) and give it to you packaged as MAAX. This stuff has the immense booming drums, breakneck whirlwind riffs and pace, and the under-produced gruff vocals that just summon total pandemonium. It’s as deafening as a typhoon of pissed off mutant hornets, and any bit as two-fisted as a captive tornado of Satan Worshipping Bikers with a massive case of withdrawals. This EP will rip the testicles of old Lemmy himself, or at least the horrid warts on his face. Packed with an attitude and as much heat as a fat trucker fart after a long binge of convenience store and greasy spoon crud, this is filth and fury at it one of it’s finest hours. I’m really looking forward to the upcoming release this year as well.

Norway’s Hat have been in the scene for awhile, throwing pretty awesome black metal into the faces of the unwary, and their newest offering from Abyss Records is no different.Mixing semi-flat drums, slightly noisy guitars, and very necro vocals, this duo are sonically abrasive and yet melodic like raw, true Norwegian black metal from the early 90′s. Vortex of Death is a killer album from a band that’s destined to become known as a classic stalwart for the genre.Favorite tracks are “Invocating Death”, “Slaves of Insanity” and “Ultimate Evil”.Rating: 7.5 out of 10.

DIABOLICAL"Ars Vitae"(Abyss)Diabolical might not be the most uncommon name in metal and with all the variations of the same name it might be hard to keep track of them all. This Diabolical is Swedish and this is their new release containing some new songs, some live recordings and a bit more (17 in all). I have to admit that I know nothing about this band other than that they formed in the Swedish town Sundsvall in 1996 and that they play death metal. Just looking at the track list I had my suspicion that this would be a weird record. I was right. Even though I haven't heard anything by the band before this one it still feels like an in- between record. Maybe this is the perfect introduction for me who's new to the band. One thing that struck me is that this isn't death metal in classic Swedish/Gothenburg or Florida style. Maybe more towards what Hypocrisy are doing mixed with an American touch. As an introduction this worked perfectly. I want to keep discovering Diabolical.

Already responsible for pulverizing eardrums around the world with some of the most raucous extreme metal the underground can provide, Abyss Records is proud to unleash a trio of releases guaranteed to piss off your neighbors.

Death metal vets DIABOLICAL follow up their 2008 release The Gallery Of Bleeding with Ars Vitae, an album that covers the spectrum of their blood-soaked career. Featuring 17 tracks of new, remastered and previously unreleased live material, Ars Vitae is a must have from "one of the most intense bands you've never heard." [Metal Army America]

After a series of well-received demos, Sweden's HYPERBOREAN have produced a 47-minute masterpiece of symphonic/melodic blacked majesty with The Spirit Of Warfare. Inspired by the heroic battles fought during World War I and Leonidas' legendary stance at Thermopylae, HYPERBOREAN's debut is an epic and welcome contribution to the genre. Apochs.net is currently streaming two selections from the album at this location, but this is one release that needs to be experienced as a whole.

Making their hammer-fisted introduction to the metal community, Netherlands-based warmongers BODYFARM lay waste to everything in sight with their brutally violent, self-titled EP. Capturing the essence of BOLT THROWER, ASPHYX and PESTILENCE, these young lions roar just as loudly as the old-schoolers that influenced them. Visit Apochs.net for a couple of skull-cracking tunes from the EP.

All three of these bad boys have recently gone out via Haulix Digital Promo service so if you haven't gotten your copy for review/interview/airplay consideration then get off your rusty ass and hit up your buds at ClawhammerPR@gmail.com and we'll get you taken care of.

winter of sin was originally released in 1992 but thanks to the u.s label abyss records it is now being re-relased so both old and new black/death metal fans can bask in the greatness that is fester! fester comes out of the legendary norwegian underground and lets face it back in the early 1990's no other country came close to releasing great black metal like norway.fester was defintly ahead of their time and went against the norm {remember this was originally in 93 before black/death was blended together by so many} instead of the raw,primitive style that norway was known for fester played fast black metal but their guitar riffs/chords were a little thicker and even had a few solo's entertwined the riffs to give them a death metalish feel and sound.fester even went a little further to make winter a sin a "classic" within the black metal scene by adding some avantgarde and melodic interludes to their already gloomy and grim sound.even today in 2011 festers-winter of sin still stands out a great and original masterpiece. defintly get this if you like original and dark black metal.

Chalice Of Black Flames is merely the band’s demo re-pressed on disc and issued by Abyss Records. As such, it merely features three songs and 15 minutes of music. As much as one would like to hear more music to be convinced the Swedes have achieved a high degree of proficiency and have released a convincing wave of brutal and melodic death metal with enough variety to be dynamic, without ever leaving the borders of metallic taste.Of the three tracks, Crowned & Winged has a militaristic and pseudo-industrial beat, Bringer Of Storms hits the hardest and fastest and the title track offers the most variety, raging and chanting vocals and most intricate guitar work. The band’s closest analogy is none other than Necrophobic. Given that band’s infrequent stops at the studio picking up this Chalice is a good occasion to get some intense Swedish death. The sound is perfectly fine despite the disc’s demo origin.Rating: 80/100

Originally formed by Aleister (vocals, guitars) in 1992. The band was put on hold while Aleister fulfilled his duties with Ancient. Well a new time and day are here and Aleister is back with a new all-star line-up and release. The line-up features Steve Digiorgio (bass, Sadus, Death) Luca Princiotta (guitar, Doro) among others who contributed. Faust has created some extremely well crafted and executed technical Death Metal. The band seems to be in the vein of early 90's technical death metal like cynic and Death - “Individual Thought Patterns” era, but also has a lot of the modern technical influence and sound. I am not a huge fan of technical Death Metal but Faust have done a good job of mixing in straight-forward Death with a lot of modern technical guitar, bass lines. Fans of technical Death Metal or the above mentioned bands should definitely give this a listen.

We are pleased, today, to have Hyperborean with us; it took some time to the Swedish band to find the right tunes, but finally they present to us their debut album, "The Spirit Of Warfare", that has been already reviewed on Aristocrazia Webzine.

Welcome on Aristocrazia Webzine! After a decade of hard work, you can finally hold in your hands your debut album. How does that make you feel?

Magnus: Well I'll give you an honest answer, I haven't held the album yet as it hasent arrived to us from the label yet. But it will feel good to have it, sort of a confirmation that the hard work we'we put into the band has paid off.

How did your project start? Who are the Hyperborean?

The band started eleven years ago and it has gone through different stages throughout the years. Today the main core of Hyperborean is made up off myself Magnus, the vocalist, and Andreas, the guitarist, through the last few years we have driven this band and our determination to make something off it is the reason it still exists.

Before this album, you produced three demos: "Of Malice", "Thorns Scar Her Soul" and "Prey"; what kind of reaction did they meet when you released them? I noticed that, differently from many other bands similar to you, you decided not to include any of the previous songs in your debut album; is there a particular reason behind this choice?

Well we can split those two demos into two categories, the first two demos were recorded with an interley different line-up off wich I am the only member that remains to this day. The first two demos were really well recieved and we were offered some good record deals after the second demo, but instability in the line-up prevented us from pursuiting them. The third demo wasnt really that good and we arent that happy with it. The reason none of the songs made it to the album is basically this. The first two demos had an interley diffeent sound to them so those songs wouldnt fit and the third demo just wasnt good enough for us. And we had enough material for an album without them anyways, most of the songs on "The Spirit Of Warfare" were writen five or six years ago.

The taste of your album strongly recalls the '90s; the swedish sound of Dissection meets here the norwegian, viking style of Borknagar, while the extreme coldness of Immortal (emerging especially in the striking thrash sections) mixes with elegant keyboards parts that seems to be inspired to the first Dimmu Borgir and Emperor. I also found that some of your influences could not be black metal at all: for instance, the opening track "Channeling The Spirit Of Warfare" contains a riffing section that reminds me of some creations of Schuldiner, with Death. How did you give birth to this album? Did you follow a particular method when you composed the songs?

There wasent really a plan to them, we just wrote what we felt like writing, we didnt reallt try to model ourselves after any particular band, just make the song we wanted to make. But you mention Dissection and I certainly have nothing against being compared to them as they were pretty awesome.

I have to say that "The Spirit Of Warfare" is really a great platter; I think that, with a little more personality, this album could have been considered a real masterpiece, for the quality of his tracklist is truly amazing. Do you feel completely satisfied of your creation? Are there any bands that you have been listening in a compulsive way while you composed the album, just like they were some sort of spiritual guidance?

No we havent listened to any band to try to emulate them, we want to make our own music and create our own sound. In regards to the recording, there are always things you can do differently and there are a couple of things I wish we had done in another way, but I see no point in dwelling on them now, what is done is done, we will learn from it and do even better on our next album (which is coming along niceley).

Unfortunately, I couldn't go deeply into the lyrics of your album. What kind of themes inspire you when you write them? Judging by the titles and helped by the few words of english that I know, it seems to me that among the lyrics of "The Spirit Of Warfare" you often refer to historical facts, like in "The Last Stand Of Leonidas And The Battle Of Thermopylae"; am I right?

Warfare in its different forms was the main theme, you are deffintley right in that historical battles and facts lie as an inspiration to the lyrics. Every song and evert lyric is based on one or more historical events. History is something that interest me and inspires me to write as a lyricist.

What do you think of today's black metal scene? Do you think its atmosphere has changed from the 90s? Is there a circle of bands that collaborates and supports each other, or is it composed of many separate, single projects?

I cannot really answer this as I do not know, we are not appart of any circle of bands, we do what we want and we write the music and lyrics that we want and we do no care what other bands do. We have our vision and that is good enough for us, we dont need to be involved in any movement.

The black metal scene has always been divided in two branches; the first, that I'd define orthodox, is carachterized by a low-fi, rotten sound; the other has tried, during the years, to break the limits of the genre, trying to focus on its avanguardistic side. What's your opinion on the latest tendencies inside the scene, like trying to integrate post-rock features in its sound, or considering "shoegaze" the soft sound of bands like Alcest or Lifelover?

I will answer this from my personal perspective, I like the works of bands like Burzum, old Satyricon, Taake, Dissection and Emeperor. I like black metal, but I wouldnt call our music pure black metal as we do infuse some influences from other genres such as death and thrash metal.

After the release of the album, what kind of feedback did you find in the reviews or from those who follow you?

So far it seems to be really good, people seem to like what we are doing and the reviews have mainly been very positive.

Are you playing live already or planning to? If yes, are there any already confirmed shows?

No we dont have a full line-up for live shows at the moment. But we might try to get a full line-up for gigs in the future.

During your decade of activity, has there been any anectode, on stage, that you remember particularly striking, positively or else?

Haha yeah, but too many to mention my friend.

List five good reasons to listen "The Spirit Of Warfare".

Five reasons huh? Its Agressive, ferocious, melodic, hateful and atmospheric, how about that?

Who are the guys behind the project Hyperborean? What does they do in their lives, apart from their musical activity?

I play some sports, try to keep myself in decent shape, I play some online poker, I always like a good book or movie.

The interview has come to an end; hoping to see you soon on stage here in Italy, I would like to thank you and I leave to you the opportunity to give us any last words that you see fit to conclude our little chat.

I hope we will be on a stage in Italy in the future, I think it would be awesome to play for the Roman legions! By the way, we have written some songs about ancient Greece on this album, we will defintly write some songs about ancient Rome in the future, maybe something about the Punic wars. Thank you for this interview and keep suporting Hyperborean!Ave!

Known for scouring the globe to find some of the world's finest death, black and thrash metal acts, Abyss Records is pleased to announced the signing of a band who brings the best of all three to the table. Hailing from Homer, Alaska, THOUSAND YEAR WAR stands tall as one of Abyss Record's newest and most exciting acquisitions.With a self-titled EP already available, the band is preparing to unleash their full-length debut, Tyrants And Men, upon the masses. Promos will be available soon. Get in touch at clawhammerpr@gmail.com for any press inquiries.

The history of Thousand Year War began in the late winter of 2009 in Homer, Alaska with Hiram Lohr (guitar, vocals) and Kellen Sharp (lead guitar, bass). While hashing out ideas they began to write songs that would become their first EP. This was comprised of four songs andwas recorded by Brett Wehmeyer at Runefire Recording Studios in Anchorage, AK. With the help of Brett and session drummer Mortaeus (Ax) they were able to get their first recording off the ground. After receiving good reviews and label interest from their self-titled EP, Thousand Year War decided to take things to the next level and record a full length album. The EP is available for free download at http://www.thousandyearwar.com.Hiram and Kellen raised enough funds to record with Ryan Brownell (Garden Studios).In a period of 7 days they recorded vocals, guitars, and bass to found session drummer Fredrik Widigs (Angrepp, Desultor, The Ugly). After transposing all the songs to Guitar Pro they were sent to Fredrik to record the drum tracks at Prime Cut Studios (Sweden) in the summer of '09. Shortly after Kellen and Hiram laid down the tracks to what would be the full length Tyrants and Men.From the summer of 2010 and beyond, Fredrik Lunneborg of Primecut Studios came up with an amazing mix that sculpted and formed the final sound of Tyrants and Men. This mix was presented to Dan Ferguson of Abyss Records and Thousand Year War was offered to sign. The first pressing of Tyrants and Men will be available as a digipak. All Album art and websites are designed by Luciferium War Graphics.Presently, Thousand Year War is working on material for a second full length album and finding session members and booking agency for a possible tour this summer.If interested please contact Thousand Year War @ tyw2012@gmail.com.Tyrants and Men will be available on Abyss Records in early 2011, specific date TBA.

1. Defiance 3:472. The Sea 3:583. No Gods, No Masters 4.464. Thousand Year War 3:475. Open Casket 4:116. The Storm I Ride 3:327. Warriors of Deceit 4:128. One Final Breath 3:109. Spartacus 4:3710. Tyrants and Men 3:18Total Running Time: 39:20

Abyss Records artist MAAX will be playing Central Illinois Metalfest 2011 ~ July 22nd-24th, MAAX plays the 23rd @ 5 P.M. !!!! Be sure to stop by the Abyss Records table too!!! Check them out and get ready to fucking headbang !!!

By Ali “The Metallian”Chalice Of Black Flames is merely the band’s demo re-pressed on disc and issued by Abyss Records. As such, it merely features three songs and 15 minutes of music. As much as one would like to hear more music to be convinced the Swedes have achieved a high degree of proficiency and have released a convincing wave of brutal and melodic death metal with enough variety to be dynamic, without ever leaving the borders of metallic taste.Of the three tracks, Crowned & Winged has a militaristic and pseudo-industrial beat, Bringer Of Storms hits the hardest and fastest and the title track offers the most variety, raging and chanting vocals and most intricate guitar work. The band’s closest analogy is none other than Necrophobic. Given that band’s infrequent stops at the studio picking up this Chalice is a good occasion to get some intense Swedish death. The sound is perfectly fine despite the disc’s demo origin. – Ali “The Metallian”Review link: http://www.metallian.com/chaossworn.php

By AtwaterAfter a year of rehearsing, the Dutch death metal band Bodyfarm have recorded four songs and a nice intro, styled in old English death metal like Bolt Thrower and Benediction. Bass and drums work very well with the guitars and they provide a steady platform for the band. Even the occasional blast beat is well-balanced with the rest of the music. Grunts combined with the drive and aggression make the band a true polka blast foursome. I’m amazed by how easily this band can combine subtle elements of other bands, without sounding like a copy cat. Take for instance the song ‘Heartraped’: it contains Nile riffing trapped in a Bolt Thrower song, and it’s a pleasure to listen to! I can recommend this album to lovers of Bolt Thrower, Carcass and the likes, as well as to Jungle Rot addicts. Rating: 75/100

I didn’t realize until after I’d reviewed Maax’s EP Six pack witchcraft that I also had Dawnbringer to review; their debut album released a year before the EP. Eventhough I had looked through the entire pile of promos from Abyss Records I never made the connection between the two records, and I suppose it’s due to the fact that the logos on the two releases look so completely different. So after hearing the EP first I expected this to sound similar, and I couldn’t have been more wrong.

This is melodic, sleek and slick, sans the intrusive burliness of Six pack witchcraft. As soon as Blut reich…blood dawn begins I get a strong Lord Belial vibe, with very reminiscent riffing, melody and even vocals. As the similarities to said band dissipates over time, the black metal doesn’t. I’m not sure I’d guessed the band to hail from the States if I hadn’t known, simply ‘cause it sounds fairly European in style. Melodic riffing, not driven by leads but by a core of melodic riffs, going by both like a hurricane and like a slowly driven bulldozer. They’re mainly focusing on slower paces, rarely indulging themselves in blasting. It comes across as quite raw yet melodic, old school Norwegian yet 90ies European, and with a drizzle of modern American black. When they pick up speed, such as in the title track, the aggressiveness of their music is really terrific, whereas the slower tunes have a more chilling and eerie atmosphere, drenched in darkness.

I’m extremely surprised this is even the same band, although there are a few moments where the thrash influences shine through, the rock stays far away from their sound. Dawnbringer’s a damn evil-sounding album with a marvelous atmosphere, blending almost every style of black metal together very well. It’s far from anything unique, but it’s nonetheless bloody satisfying for a black metal freak.

Hat apparently formed all the way back in 1993, was put on hold in 1996 and resurrected ten years later. I’d never heard of them before, which might not come as much of a surprise seeing as this is their debut album. So their roots are definitely firmly set in the older days of black metal, and it doesn’t take long into Guds skitne avkom to realize they’re still hell-bent on maintaining the sound of the genre’s former glory days.

After a very effective intro the album sets off with a relatively fast pace (I say “relatively” since they don’t come anywhere close to the ultra-blasting we find in metal nowadays) and a surprisingly melodic guitar lead. The similarities with acts like Taake and earlier Gorgoroth are quite instant, and it’s undoubtedly old school black metal – spiteful, grim and filled to the rim with blasphemy. But Hat adds to that a keen sense of melody, which comes across through the guitar leads. While the tempo might be predominately fast-paced, they throw in tons of variety with slower sections, alternating drum patterns which on occasion offer a little quirk or two (like for instance the brief militaristic drumming during Schadenfreude). The main vocals are extremely harsh, albeit still with the classic black metal pitch, adding a load of brutality to their sound. For Inner demons the vocals take on a different approach and sounds much more hoarse and sore, giving it a desperate touch. Very unorthodox.

This two-man unit does absolutely nothing to reinvent the wheel, they harvest the crops sowed by their predecessors, but they do a damn fine job. Minor twists, a good sense of song writing, a cold atmosphere and hookfilled melodies makes it a great addition to any black metaller’s record collection, at least if your love for Norwegian old school is strong.

I’d never heard of Die Hard before, probably ‘cause I’m generally not a fan of the death/thrash metal style. Evil always return is an older recording, well not that old; it’s from 2008, but they’ve released two EPs and a fullength afterwards. When they recorded this one they had the drummer from Watain in the band, and nowadays they’ve got the guitarist from Ondskapt and Valkyrja. So it’s obvious they’re no newcomers when it comes to peddling metal, but I was still skeptic towards the chosen style.

Fortunately this is nothing like the polished, melodic death/thrash thingie that oh-so-many half-arsed acts have peddled after the success of At the Gates; this predates all of it. Predominately thrash metal, infused with a buttload of old school death metal, it blends together so well you can’t imagine thrash metal to ever have sounded any different. Venom, Slayer and Possessed have probably been put under a microscope to create Die Hard’s sound, flavoured with a touch of Sodom. It’s 80ies thrash metal all the way, and damn it they really make it work. Evil always return isn’t a throwback to the old day, it’s as old school as old school gets, the world simply never made it to the 90ies. The tempo changes, going from somewhat blasting at times to slower chugging is always right on the money, and the gnarly squealing vocals that occasionally take over are oh-so-sweet.

With energetic riffing, catchy guitar leads, the evilest of vocals and varied drumming Die Hard induces hallucinations of sweaty moshpits filled with adolescent men who just discovered the new sensation of thrash metal. They manage to convince even me, and I generally despise thrash for its sloppiness. But this is slickly performed, skillfully written and above all else utterly kick-ass. I don’t know what else to say, there really isn’t anything else to be said. I don’t know how they did it, but they manage to sound so true to the old sound they could easily have convinced me it was in fact recorded back in the days.

Following up on the success of last year's reissue of the classic Winter Of Sin, Abyss Records is proud to unearth yet another treasure from Norwegian black/death metal warlocks FESTER. Abyss has reincarnated FESTER's 1994 masterpiece Silence on digi-CD. The reissue comes completely remixed, remastered and repackaged and features all nine original tracks and a live version of the song "Persecution" recorded in 1991.Silence is not golden. Please get in touch at clawhammerpr@gmail.com if you would like to review this vintage bucket of blackness. Interviews are strongly encouraged!

DreamSilent Is The RavenFrustrationsThe MazeThe ConformistsVoices From The woodsElisabetha In My World Of ThoughtsGrowing ThirstNår Noen DørPersecution ( Live 1991)** = Bonus Track

"Calm black metal and aesthetic feelings.You see, it's not easy to describe what those four young Norwegians created here. It is definitely a sound that has NEVER been there before and has never been copied by any other bands... This album is trying to catch the mood of silence and loneliness as perfect as a metal album could ever do so. Its is a piece of art that you will recognize easily amongst 100.000 faceless albums." - Encyclopedia Metallum - 2009

"An album that every true metalhead should have it his/her's collection." - Scream Magazine - 2001

" Long story short ; an album you must have!" - Rock Hard 1994

In other FESTER news, the current line up of Bjørn " Tiger " Mathisen (guitars/vocals), Jon Bakker (KAMPFAR, bass), Jotho (RAGNAROK, drums) and Thomas Andresen (vocals) are currently working on material for the band's long-awaited third full-length album. Slated for release later this year, this will be the first time the world has been treated to new music from FESTER in seventeen years. Guitarists Iannis (Nocternity) and Guido (Ysengrin) will be lending their talents to the release and famed ambient/industrial musician Mortiis will provide remixes. Norway's atmospheric masters have returned to once again change the face of black/death metal. Prepare yourselves...

Blackened thrash/punk bastards ANGREPP have recently announced a changing of the guard behind the drum kit as skinsman Fredrik Widigs has parted ways with the band and been replaced by Jakob Hallegren (Månegarm, Valkyrja). The announcement came in the form of a post on ANGREPP's official myspace page and can be read below.

"Long since we posted something here on myspace. (crappy new design one reason!)These news are thought to important to not inform you all. Fredrik Widigs has choosen to leave the band becouse of personal reasons. We thank our brother for the time in the band and wish him all the luck in the future, there are no hard feelings. To take Fredriks sted, we are proud to announce that Jakob Hallegren (session Månegarm & Valkyrja) will become a member of the Angrepp-family.Keep posted, things are about to start moving again.RAPE, KILL, ROCK N ROLL !!!"

ANGREPP released their full-length debut, Warfare, last year on Abyss Records. The album quickly caught the attention of maniacs across the globe, including the legendary multi-instrumentalist and producer Dan Swanö who called the album "Awesome black metal with a refreshing old-school punk attitude. An aural fist in the face!" Abyss Records is currently offering Warfare as part of a digi-CD/T-shirt/sticker package deal. Visit http://www.officialabyssrecords.com for details.

Eternal Helcaraxe came to be in May 2003. Between then and February 2004 began writing for a black metal project based on raw emotion and atmosphere. After several line-up changes both founding members decided to continue as a two piece and in March 2008 released the first MCD entitled Palest Kingdom.Shortly after this release in April of 2008 we were joined by Kozel (ex-Mincing Fury)(cz) on bass, and the lineup was completed in July 2008 when were re-joined by our first drummer Tyrith who both added a new level of atmosphere and intensity to our sound.Eternal Helcaraxe have performed full live assaults with such bands as Impiety, Shining, Spearhead, Abgott and Keep of Kalessin.Unfortunately, due to personal reasons, Kozel parted ways with EH and in August 2009 we were joined by Thule, which set in stone the new path. We have completed and released our second and latest MCD which is entitled To Whatever End. Musically and lyrically, it was exactly what we wanted to achieve and it is available now.Recently Eternal Helcaraxe have Joined with Abyss Records (USA) to release the upcoming full length album entitled Against All Odds, which will commence recording atJam Studios in Kells, Ireland in August 2011.

Palest Kingdom and To Whatever End are both currently available via Abyss Records at this location. http://www.officialabyssrecords.com/adv ... +&x=9&y=11These Irishmen have a knack for the songwriting craft and what they've produced is all killer, no filler. - No Clean Singing